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Assemblyman Paul Moriarty reintroduces bill to make cameras mandatory in new police cars

Moriarty DWI Video presser LMN_2336.jpg

New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Moriarty reacts after watching the dashboard camera video of his July 31, 2012, DWI arrest during a press conference, Friday, Oct. 19, 2012. The screening of the video comes only days after Moriarty, a former Washington Township mayor, filed a 27-count criminal complaint against Washington Township Police Officer Joseph DiBuonaventura, accusing the officer of perjury, official misconduct and tampering with public records, among other complaints. (Staff Photo by Lori M. Nichols/Gloucester County Times)
((Staff Photo by Lori M. Nichols))

Just a few weeks after Gov. Chris Christie pocket vetoed the bill, state legislators have reintroduced legislation that would require all new police vehicles used primarily for traffic stops to have cameras installed.

Released by an Assembly committee on Thursday, the bill would require police departments that are purchasing or leasing new vehicles that are “primarily” used for traffic stops to either install dashboard cameras or outfit the police officers driving them with body cameras.

According to Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, who is one of the bill’s main sponsors, the governor did not provide an explanation to legislators as to why it was vetoed the first time, prompting he and others to reintroduce it to “press him on the issue.”

Moriarty spearheaded introduction of the bill’s after he was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in July 2012.

Moriarty has said the camera footage was key to proving his innocence.

“The initial thought was that (Christie's pocket veto) might have something to do with funding,” said Moriarty, who added that the bill was amended to introduce body cameras as a cheaper alternative to address the issue, which helped it receive support from Republican legislators.

“We don’t know why the governor failed to sign this legislation that was passed in a bi-partisan matter,” he added. “It’s very disappointing that the governor’s office would not even make a comment. I think it may be indicative that the governor’s office is not focused right now.”

The assemblyman said an amendment to include body cameras, which cost between $300 and $400, helped to dissuade concerns that the bill would’ve been too expensive for smaller police departments, since dashboard cameras cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to install.

In addition, the bill includes language that would create a $25 surcharge that would be added to all DWI convictions and would go to the municipality to be put toward funding the installation of cameras.

“We thought that would be enough to get it passed,” said Moriarty. “We intend to continue to press the issue. What is the cost of getting it right?”